Swiss voters narrowly back electronic ID plan after 2021 defeat

# Swiss voters narrowly back electronic ID plan after 2021 defeat

Swiss voters have approved plans for an electronic identity card in a close referendum, ending years of debate over whether the state should provide a digital proof of identity that can be used online and in some physical settings.

The vote on 2025-09-28 produced a 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent result in favour of the e-ID, according to the supplied evidence from 7432. Turnout reached 49.55 percent, higher than pollsters had expected. The result gives Switzerland's main political parties and the federal government a narrow win after both houses of parliament had already backed the proposal.

The issue had already been tested at the ballot box. Voters rejected an earlier version of the e-ID in 2021, largely because of objections to private companies running parts of the system. The new plan responds directly to that concern: the state will provide the identity card, it will be optional, and it will be free of charge.

The authorities say the e-ID is meant to make it easier for people to prove who they are online, whether they are accessing public services or verifying their age when buying alcohol. The same digital credential can also be used in brick-and-mortar settings, including opening a bank account or proving age in bars and clubs.

Security and privacy remain central to the dispute. Critics have warned that any digital identity system could expand state surveillance, create pressure to make participation compulsory, and disadvantage people who do not use smartphones. The system is designed to be tied to a single device, which means users would need a new e-ID if they change phones. A biometric version containing fingerprints is due to become available from the end of next year.

The vote also fits into a wider European shift toward digital wallets and electronic identity services. The supply of a state-run e-ID now gives Switzerland a model closer to the systems already used in places such as Estonia, while still keeping the Swiss version voluntary.

For supporters, the result is a sign that digital identity can gain public backing if the state rather than private companies runs the service. For opponents, the narrow margin shows that mistrust has not disappeared. The referendum suggests the debate is likely to continue, even after the ballot result has settled the immediate question of whether Switzerland will move ahead.